Method and system for cleaning an inner surface of a tire

Abstract

A method and system for cleaning the inner surface of a tire, comprising the steps of: emitting a laser beam that is directed against the inner surface using at least an emitter device; performing deeper cleaning within at least a first annular zone of the inner surface in applying, using at least the laser beam, to the first annular zone a first surface energy density; and performing less thorough cleaning within at least a second annular zone of the inner surface by applying, using at least the laser beam to the second annular zone a second surface energy density that is lower than the first surface energy density.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for cleaning an inner surface of a tire, comprising:
 emitting a laser beam that is directed against the inner surface via at least an emitter device;   performing a first cleaning within at least a first annular zone of the inner surface in applying, via at least the laser beam, to the first annular zone a first surface energy density; and   performing a second cleaning within at least a second annular zone of the inner surface in applying, via at least the laser beam, to the second annular zone a second surface energy density that is not zero and that is lower than the first surface energy density,   wherein a different respective surface energy density is applied via at least the laser beam to each of the first annular zone and the second annular zone.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second surface energy density is between 35% and 50% of the first surface energy density. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first annular zone is arranged in proximity to side walls of the tire and at opposite ends of the second annular zone. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second annular zone is arranged at a centre of the tire. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first annular zone is arranged both in proximity to side walls of the tire and at a centre of the tire. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing an intermediate cleaning within at least a third annular zone of the inner surface in applying, via at least the laser beam, to the third annular zone a third surface energy density that is lower than the first surface energy density and higher than the second surface energy density. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the third annular zone is interposed between the first annular zone and the second annular zone. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the third surface energy density is between 60% and 80% of the first surface energy density. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 rotating, via at least a support device, the tire about an axis of rotation;   maintaining a constant intensity of the laser beam, as emitted by the emitter device; and   increasing or decreasing the surface energy density applied to the inner surface by the laser beam in decreasing or increasing the rotational speed of the tire.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, axially, any uncleaned parts of the inner surface are only found axially outside the first annular zone. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising continuously emitting the laser beam to achieve uninterrupted cleaning along circular bands. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising emitting the laser beam intermittently to alternate clean areas with non-clean areas along circular bands. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 partially overlapping one passage of the laser beam with a next passage of the laser beam; and   varying a degree of overlap between the first annular zone and the second annular zone.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first annular zone has a first degree of overlap which is higher than a second degree of overlap of the second annular zone. 
     
     
         15 . A system for cleaning an inner surface of a tire, comprising:
 a laser emitter configured to direct a laser beam against the inner surface; and   a control unit configured to:
 perform a first cleaning within at least a first annular zone of the inner surface in applying, via at least the laser beam, to the first annular zone a first surface energy density; and 
 perform a second cleaning within at least a second annular zone of the inner surface in applying, via at least the laser beam, to the second annular zone a second surface energy density that is not zero and that is lower than the first surface energy density, 
 wherein a different respective surface energy density is applied via at least the laser beam to each of the first annular zone and the second annular zone. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second surface energy density is between 35% and 50% of the first surface energy density. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first annular zone is arranged both in proximity to side walls of the tire and at a centre of the tire. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the control unit is further configured to perform an intermediate cleaning within at least a third annular zone of the inner surface in applying, via at least the laser beam, to the third annular zone a third surface energy density that is lower than the first surface energy density and higher than the second surface energy density. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the third annular zone is interposed between the first annular zone and the second annular zone. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the third surface energy density is between 60% and 80% of the first surface energy density.